But now that I’m a father, maybe things can be different for me. Maybe I can stand up to the people wielding power over me and prove that I’m stronger.
If I want that little slice of the picture-perfect family we were for a snapshot in time, then it’s what I have to do.
Almost getting into that lime green Lambo, plowing down Jennings…neither gave me even a tiny glimpse of the sort of thrill I got when I walked into Asher’s place yesterday and saw Ainsley sitting on the floor playing with Jack.
Those are the thrills I want now. Not the fast life. Not the risks or the danger.
But love. A deep, emotional kind of love that I never knew existed.
The love I share with Ainsley. The love I have for Jack.
Two different types of love that have developed over the last few months into something far stronger than anything I’ve ever known.
I know what I have to do.
It’s not going to be easy, but I don’t have any other choice.
I look at the schedule she drew up for Jack, and I take a photo of it. I pack first for myself and then for Jack, bringing along everything I could possibly need when I realize that if there’s anything I forgot, I can just buy it when I get to my destination.
I book the next flight. I may not be going to New York, but I’m sure as fuck not going to sit around at home with my dick in my hand.
I’m going to fucking fight with all my might to get back the life that was just within my reach before I lost it.
I carefully buckle Jack into his carrier, and I text Milton and ask him if he can get me a car to the airport.
He’s at the reception desk when I walk down with Jack in his carrier in one arm. I’m dragging my suitcase with the other, and I have a duffel slung around my shoulder, too.
I set the carrier carefully on the floor and walk over to Milton. “I never properly thanked you for getting in touch with my coach on Wednesday.”
“You should thank your wife. She’s the one who texted me asking if I knew where you were.”
My brows pinch together. “She did? I thought the driver texted you.”
He presses his lips together. “She was worried about you, Dex.”
“I’ve thought this many times over the years, but I’ve never said it to you. You’re like a father to me, and I appreciate all you do to look out for me.”
He nods once, clearly not sure what to say to that, but he doesn’t have to say anything. He clears his throat, and then he nods to Jack and my suitcase. “Are you bringing Jack with you to New York?”
I bite my lip before I answer. “Coach isn’t having me travel with the team. I went a little too hard in practice when it was supposed to be light and might’ve cracked Maverick Jennings’s ribs.”
“Oh, Dex,” he says quietly. “So where are you off to?”
“Chicago.” I flash him a smile. “Bet you can guess why.”
He nods again. “If I may say so, I hope you get her back, sir. It’s nice having her around.”
I glance at Jack, and then I look back at him. “I agree. I’m going to go put up the biggest fight of my life, so wish me luck.”
“Best ofluck to you.”
I plow into him for a quick hug, and he laughs as he awkwardly pats me on the back.
And then I head to the airport to catch a flight to win my girl back…with a few obstacles in the way first, of course. It wouldn’t be my life if it were quite that simple.
Jack sleeps through the entire flight, thank God, and I text Madden when I land.
Me:Can I stay at your place this weekend?
